When early Spanish settlers came to the United States, they came across an enormous reptile that resembled a giant lizard. In Spanish, the word lizard is el lagarto. When English settlers heard the Spaniards referring to this creature as “el lagarto,” they interpreted the name as “alligator,” which is where this animal got its name. At one time, alligators were endangered, but this species has made a remarkable comeback. This animal is the state reptile of three states—Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi. The alligator was designated as the state reptile of Florida in 1987.

What Can I Do Here?

There are many things that you can do here. Please begin by watching the welcome video for an introduction to the alligators (simply click on the video on the top of the media bar to the right). You can also use the media bar to look at pictures and watch other videos of alligators at the museum.